Bridport Chantry
Has been described as a Questionable Pele Tower, and also as a Questionable Urban Defence
There are major building remains
| Name | Bridport Chantry |
| Alternative Names | Dungeness |
| Historic Country | Dorset |
| Modern Authority | Dorset |
| 1974 Authority | Dorset |
| Civil Parish | Bridport |
The Chantry is situated to the south of the town and the building is of late C14 to C15 construction. The building has the appearance of a semi-fortified tower house and is also said to be the St Leonard's Chantry priest's house. (Baxter)
The Chantry was probably constructed in the late 13th or early 14th century as a municipal building associated with a harbour and incorporating a cresset. It was converted into the house for the chantry priest of St Leonard in the later 14th century. In the late 16th century it was converted into house for family use and it was extensively renovated and altered in the 1870s. It was restored in 1987. (Dorset HER)
Probably C14 or C15. At one time known as the "Prior's House", more probably the house of a chantry priest. It is a 2-storey stone rubble house with a projecting 2-storey porch wing at the front. There is a pointed arch to the porch with the head renewed. Most of the windows appear to be C19. Modern tiles. Gable ends with stone copings. There is a projecting course of stone slabs at cornice level. Internally there are some interesting details including a fireplace opening with shouldered arch and one with a moulded 4-centred lintel. (Listed Building Report)
Constructed in the late C13 or early C14 as a municipal building, probably associated with a harbour. In the late C14 it was converted into a house for a chantry priest. ... It was not defensive, although it could have served as a lookout, ... Its principle function was probably the collection of tolls at the S. approach to the town, in conjunction with a barrier across the road. (Rodwell, 1990)
Not scheduled
This is a Grade 2* listed building protected by law
Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | SY465924 |
| Latitude | 50.7289390563965 |
| Longitude | -2.75819993019104 |
| Eastings | 346584 |
| Northings | 92424 |
